Chalmers News

All the best to you and your families in this Advent Season!
This week the Connections Circle covered a number of topics. Our most important conversation was with the report from the Transition Circle after the Discernment Retreat Session on Nov 29. There is a lot of follow-up required in order to inform us all on our potential futures. Please carefully read the attached report from the Circle. And please consider what roles you can play in helping the team get the answers we need. It could be as an expert opinion for specific issues or it could be part of team investigating all the
options. The next Transition Circle meeting is January 6 – please consider joining to find out what is needed.
Other topics covered a discussion on developing the 2026 budget. We are trying to identify items that are certain and also to identify the different possibilities for the next year. Each circle will have to think about the possible directions. Also, the Operations Circle will be putting forward (through the Property Committee) a proposal to the congregation about decommissioning our current ancient (by current standards) sprinkler system in our church. Stay tuned for more details and a congregational meeting tentatively
planned for January 25. Lastly the circle approved a raise in salary for our long serving Office Administrator Carol Sleeth. She has been working faithfully for us for since 2008 and deserves recognition for all the work she does and the benefits she has provided this
congregation.
Please stay tuned to all the Circle notes for exciting things that are coming in the New Year.

** For a more detailed summary see the 2 page attachment. There is also an 11 page document that contains even more details about the Discernment Retreat. If you would like a copy of this, please email the office or Elizabeth and we can send you it. We will also have a few printed copies available on Sunday. **

At our November 29 gathering, the congregation gathered to discern next steps for Chalmers’ future. After thoughtful dialogue using Restorative Practice principles, participants considered various options including disbanding, expanding rentals, forming partnerships, and other possibilities.

The group reached consensus to move forward by exploring two key directions:

• Expanding our rental activities to increase revenue

• Developing partnerships, including potential collaboration with The Spire and conversations with other United Churches.

The United Property Resource Corporation is available to help us explore these possibilities. The Transition Circle will investigate these options further, consulting with experts on charitable tax implications and rental opportunities. They will report back to the congregation by Easter with their findings. Connections will be looking at expanding the Transition Circle as we explore the possibilities.

All present affirmed their support for this exploratory approach, trusting in the Spirit’s guidance as we discern the faithful path forward for our community.

Words from the Task Group

As the authors who were tasked with writing this apology, we have held the deep challenges and complexities of speaking on behalf of the church. We know that each of you carry your own stories and experiences; you have come to understand the United Church through relationships with communities of faith, clergy, staff, and fellow United Church members.

We recognize that each person has their unique needs when it comes to healing and that for some, this apology arrives too late and for others, this apology arrives ahead of healing actions by the church that have been longed for.

We offer this apology not because we’re convinced we have everything figured out but because we refuse to let fear keep us silent, nor do we wish for perfectionism to overtake the necessary task of publicly and explicitly addressing the legacy of 2S and LGBTQIA+ oppression and discrimination in The United Church of Canada.

We hope that where the apology feels inadequate, that these further resources may provide more depth, nuance, and healing as you process this apology.

Sincerely,
The Apology Task Group:
Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai (acting Chair), Rev. Aaron Miechkota, Christine Dolson, Frederick Monteith and Rev. Tricia Gerhard
February 2025

Recognizing the need for apologies to be lived into with action, The United Church of Canada offers the following statement in response to the findings of Iridesce: The Living Apology Project and the 2011 National LGBT Consultation.

God tends the universe,
mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.
God enlivens the universe,
guiding all things toward harmony with their Source.

The church has not always lived up to its vision. It requires the Spirit to reorient it,
helping it to live an emerging faith while honouring tradition, 
challenging it to live by grace rather than entitlement,
for we are called to be a blessing to the earth.

— A Song of Faith

To all 2S and LGBTQIA+ individuals who currently are, or have previously been connected with The United Church of Canada,

We, The United Church of Canada, express our deepest apologies to all those who have experienced homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia within The United Church of Canada. This has at times looked like overt actions such as: loss of income, harassment, being denied access to church leadership, and threats to personal safety. The church should be a place of sanctuary and belonging for all people. You deserve a church that reflects God’s unconditional and abiding love.

Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia have also been present in the times when we remained silent or ignorant instead of actively ensuring policies of inclusion and welcome were being lived out in communities of faith, conferences, presbyteries, regions, other forms of ministry, and at the national level of the church. We recognize that 2S and LGBTQIA+ members of The United Church of Canada have experienced feelings of abandonment when feeling unsafe or unable to access support and care, navigating homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic church environments.

We lament the ways in which the church has failed you, and that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia have hurt not only individuals but loved ones as well, including friends, families, and fellow siblings in Christ. The cost of 2S and LGBTQIA+ oppression in our churches is not just personal; having harmed, excluded, and denied 2S and LGBTQIA+ people, it has been to the detriment of the church. We acknowledge that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia continue to impact people in the United Church today and we offer this apology with an awareness of both past and present harms and failings.

Moving forward, we recognize that change is required in the hearts and minds throughout The United Church of Canada and also through actions taken at an institutional level. We offer this apology with awareness of the many ways in which healing from homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia is needed within our church. We hope that you will receive this apology as only one part in a larger story of the work of the church and that you will turn to prayer, worship, and fellowship as you receive these words.

Accountability

In response to all that we have learned, and are continuing to learn, we humbly commit ourselves to upholding and fulfilling the recommendations of the “Living Apology into Action” statement issued by the Iridesce Working Group to the General Secretary of the UCC in February of 2023.

Appendix

Over the past decade the Church has engaged in intentional listening processes to better understand the experiences of 2S and LGBTQIA+ people within The United Church of Canada. We have engaged in prayer, reflection, art, listening, community building, and more through a National GLBTT Consultation (2011) and Iridesce: The Living Apology Project (2017—2019) and the Living Apology into Action Working Group (2023). We are grateful for each story that has been shared and hold with sadness the large reality that there are still many stories of harm left untold. Please consult the following resources to learn more about the different projects and consultations which have helped shape the apology.

1. GLBTT Consultation Report
2. Iridesce: Living Apology Project
3. “Living Apology into Action,” Iridesce Working Group to the General Secretary of the UCC in February of 2023.
4. A Timeline of 2S & LGBTQIA+ history in The United Church of Canada

SUMMER SERVICES 2025
at 10am
We will be worshiping with our neighbours at different locations throughout the summer;
services begin at 10:00 am.
Rev. Elizabeth and Rev. Catherine will take turns preaching on the Lectionary Gospel readings from Luke.
July 6
at Sydenham Street United
82 Sydenham St.
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Strawberry Social after the service
July 13
at Sydenham Street United
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
July 20 & 27
Faith United at The Normandy Retirement Home, 630 MacLean Ct. (park on street or in nearby plaza) with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
Aug. 3
at Chalmers United 211 Barrie St
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
Aug. 10
at Chalmers United
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Aug. 17 (at 10:30am)
Ecumenical service. Location: Macdonald Park, 9 King St. E. (the Newlands Pavilion) (rain or shine, bring your lawn chair and picnic lunch)
Aug. 24
at Chalmers United
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Aug 31
at Sydenham Street United
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon

Services at Chalmers or Sydenham Street United Churches will be available on their respective YouTube channels.

The Blessing Box Pantry Program
Donations for the outdoor pantry are always happily accepted!
Useful Items:
• laundry pods
• individually wrapped snacks, sweets or gum
• bottles of water
• rolls of toilet paper

Thank you to all for all your support to the pantry and to the Tuesday Benevolent Program.
It can only happen with your participation.
The people we serve are so appreciative!

Flowers in the Sanctuary

If you wish to place flowers in the sanctuary or in memory of a loved one, or in celebration of a life event, please email: or call the office 613 546 3263 x 222 and we will get back to you for your details and to make the arrangements. The cost is $75 and is tax receiptable.

Chalmers’ Pastoral Care
If you or someone you know is in need of Pastoral Care support, please contact:
Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene: email or call 905-410-2461
or speak to a member of the Pastoral Care Team: Mike Hartlin, Marjorie Mason, Ruth Tracy, Mary Davis Little, Heather Faris, Linda Steinberg,
or contact the office: .
If you are moving, please notify the office by email:
or by phone 613-546-3263 ext. 222

Monthly Phone Calls to Keep in Touch
If you are willing to touch base with three to five people once a month by phone, it would be deeply appreciated. To help please call Heather. 613 484 2141

We have prepared 200 Warm Winter Wear Packs for for the colder weather, which we have begun to distribute. The packs contain thermal socks and mitts or gloves, toque, toiletries, hot packs, and treats, along with a Tim Horton’s gift card for the men and women who come for assistance to the Benevolent Program.

Did you Know?

This Sunday’s advent reader is Jane MacEwen. She is a member of the Inreach Circle which is concerned with supporting ideas that help the Chalmers congregation to be connected.
For example, they recently created the Gentle Walking Group that has spent the last few months exploring beautiful corners of Kingston. Another idea is the upcoming potluck Christmas dinner on December 23rd.

Please join the next circle to help connect to your congregation.